The Emma Harte 7-Book Collection: A Woman of Substance, Hold the Dream, To Be the Best, Emma’s Secret, Unexpected Blessings, Just Rewards, Breaking the Rules

But she faltered at the door and looked back at the speechless Emma, who was astonished at this quite phenomenal show of strength.

‘Perhaps you had better accompany me to the library, Emma,’ said Adele softly. Though her heart was beating with great rapidity and she felt physically weak, her steely determination to confront Gerald was intact. Nevertheless, she believed Emma’s reassuring presence would bolster her courage even more.

‘Yes, Mrs Fairley, ma’am, course I’ll come with yer,’ said Emma, vastly relieved that she had been asked. If there was trouble she could always run for Murgatroyd. He might be a tyrant downstairs in the kitchen, but he was devoted to Mrs Fairley.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#ulink_1428ec17-e730-5f97-92f6-24d6ecc1f058)

Together they made their way down the long and dusky corridor and slowly descended the first flight of the grand staircase richly carpeted in red. Adele held on to the polished oak banister to steady herself and Emma supported her other arm under the elbow. When they reached the central landing, where the two upper left and right flights converged to join the main staircase, Adele paused to catch her breath, clinging tightly to the intricately carved newel post.

An immense stained-glass window floated high above this landing and the staircase, and it blazed with brilliant jewel colours and threw off rafts of awesome fiery light that washed over the white walls and spilled into the cavernous hall below. Emma glanced down and she shivered unexpectedly. The deserted hall looked gruesome, even frightening, in the unearthly bluish-red radiance that made crouching beasties and grotesqueries of the dark wood furniture and the huge potted palms. Once again terror trickled through her veins and she wanted, as always, to flee from this oppressive house full of secrets and concealed violence.

Don’t be daft, she told herself firmly, but she held on to Mrs Fairley’s arm more tightly, as much to quell her own fears as give support to Adele.

When they finally reached the hall, Adele looked around swiftly and then she also shivered and drew her robe about her. It seemed she echoed Emma’s own sentiments when she said, ‘It’s awfully gloomy and unwelcoming in here, Emma. Please turn up the gaslights.’

Emma did as she was bid and hastened after Adele, who was already sweeping grandly into the library, her back stiff, her head lifted proudly on her tense shoulders, her face as unmoving as white onyx. Murgatroyd was busy polishing the crystal glasses on the black-walnut chest, in readiness for the evening, when Adele entered with Emma close on her heels. He straightened up quickly and looked in some amazement at Mrs Fairley, who rarely appeared downstairs during the day, if at all.

‘Why, madame, how nice ter see yer looking so well. Can I get yer owt, Mrs Fairley?’ he asked deferentially.

‘No, thank you, Murgatroyd,’ Adele said, trying to smile.

‘There’s nowt wrong, is there, Mrs Fairley?’ he asked, peering at her closely.

Adele, walking across the floor with Emma in her wake, said quickly, ‘No, no, of course not, Murgatroyd. I wish to speak to the children about a certain matter, that’s all. But thank you for your concern.’

‘Not at all, madame,’ said Murgatroyd. His curiosity aroused, the butler hovered solicitously around Adele, who declined the chair he proffered and stood in front of the fireplace. Emma retreated into the background, her face grim, her eyes watchful.

Adele turned to him. ‘If I need anything I will ring for you, Murgatroyd,’ she said, dismissing him with a slight nod.

‘Certainly, madame,’ said the butler, bowing servilely. He picked up his cloths and backed out of the room. As he left he threw an ugly look at Emma. The way that lass has wormed her way in with the missis and Mrs Wainright is summat ter fair tek yer breath away, he mumbled enviously. He closed the door sharply behind him.

Adele remained standing, one hand gripping the edge of the mantelpiece, the other in the pocket of her robe, clenched in such a tight ball her nails dug into the palm. Her instinct was to run upstairs and retreat behind locked doors. Only her solicitude for Edwin kept her firmly rooted to the spot and prepared to face Gerald, whom she knew to be vicious.

The door opened and Gerald came in, followed closely by Edwin, who took up a position next to his father’s desk. His face was a picture of dismay, and he trembled.

Gerald rolled ponderously across the room, his obese body bulging in his tight riding jacket and breeches. The sly Gerald had just decided it was infinitely preferable to deal with his mother, rather than his father. In his opinion that vain and vacuous woman could easily be manipulated. He knew his father could not.

You stupid bitch, he thought, smiling at Adele lovingly. He came to a standstill and positioned himself directly in front of her. He arranged a bland look on his face and said with unfamiliar pleasantness, ‘Mother, please excuse me for being so rude to you. It was quite unpardonable, I know. But we were a little excited, I’m afraid. However, I didn’t mean to be impertinent or hurtful to you in any way. I hope you can forgive me, Mother dearest.’

Having anticipated an angry and abusive display or, at the most, further insolence, Adele was momentarily startled. A little surge of relief flooded through her and she was about to relax her taut muscles. She instinctively checked herself. Despite Gerald’s low opinion of her, she had more insight than he credited her with, and she knew what he was and she did not trust him. She also recognized that, like all bullies, he was a coward.

She held herself perfectly still and rigid. And she was unbending. She knew if she relented she would not only lose face but would expose Edwin to further mistreatment at Gerald’s hands.

‘You did behave with the most appalling rudeness, Gerald,’ said Adele. ‘I will overlook it this time, but I expect more respectful and gentlemanly conduct in future.’ Her voice was steady. She looked him right in the eye unflinchingly, and went on, ‘You will now give me an explanation of your abominable behaviour in the courtyard. I wish to know why you—’ Adele paused and glanced coldly at her son. ‘Why you were treating Edwin so unspeakably. I think it is quite reprehensible the way you continually pick on him. Your own brother, indeed. I will not permit it to continue, Gerald.’

Gerald, shifting about impatiently, realized this was not going to be as simple as he had thought. Moreover, he was confounded by his mother’s control. Now understanding that a mere apology would not suffice, as he had misguidedly imagined, he took a deep breath and began to explain, in a conciliatory tone. ‘It was really all a storm in a teacup, Mother dear. Please believe me, that’s the absolute truth. It was unfortunate I became so – er – er ruffled.’ He paused and flashed her a falsely loving smile. ‘We were out riding on the moors, as you know. On our way back we came across a dog, probably from the village, caught in one of those traps Father has had put down for the rabbits and other vermin. Edwin became upset about this, excessively so, I would say, and actually wanted to release the dog. I wouldn’t let him. We argued about this, Mother, mainly because I didn’t want Edwin injuring himself. Those traps are extremely dangerous, you know. I persuaded Edwin to ride on, and for some reason, quite unknown to me, he became more tearful as we reached the house. That’s all there is to it, Mother dearest.’

‘I see,’ said Adele thoughtfully. She gave Gerald a penetrating look and he flinched slightly under this fixed examination, but said blandly enough, ‘I have told you the truth, Mother. Ask Edwin.’

‘Oh, I fully intend to,’ said Adele grimly. Her legs had turned to water and a pulse in her temple was beginning to pound. She forced herself to continue, and she turned to regard Edwin. ‘I would now like you to tell me your side of this – this – ghastly tale, dear.’

‘Yes, Mother,’ Edwin said, joining her by the fireplace. His face was still chalk white and his alarm was patently obvious, although this was caused by consternation for his mother’s health, rather than fear of his brother. In spite of his sensitive nature, Edwin could stand up to him most of the time.

He coughed behind his hand and then said softly, ‘Gerald did tell you the truth. At least, most of it. He simply omitted the fact that the dog was still alive and writhing in the most terrible pain. When Gerald wouldn’t let me attempt to release it, I suggested we sent the yardman out to set it free. Or if that was not feasible, to shoot it and put it out of its suffering. That seemed to me to be the only merciful thing to do.’ Edwin stopped and stared accusingly at Gerald, who quickly averted his eyes.

Edwin’s voice rose in anger. ‘But he laughed at me. Actually laughed, and said I was being childish and hysterical. Gerald even went so far as to suggest that it would be a waste of time and also of the bullet. That’s why I became so heated.’ He pushed his hand through his fair hair agitatedly. ‘It was his cruelty that maddened me. And when I said I would tell Father about the dog Gerald became terribly abusive.’

Adele swallowed, attempting to subdue the feeling of revulsion that swamped her. ‘How disgusting you are. To let a poor helpless animal suffer like that and not try to put it out of its torment. Why, you are not even—’ Her furious gaze stabbed at Gerald, who did not budge but merely returned his mother’s condemning gaze steadily.

‘Please, Mother, don’t distress yourself so. You’ll make yourself ill again,’ said Gerald in a gentle voice that sheathed his deceitfulness. ‘The dog was on its last legs. It’s probably dead by now, anyway.’ He shrugged. Gerald knew he must dispense with this matter before his father returned from Leeds, otherwise there would be an uproar of no small proportions. So he said, again with fraudulent gentleness, ‘What would you like me to do, Mother, to make amends? I do so hate to see you in such a disturbed state.’

Adele had been staring right through the bulbous Gerald, an inscrutable look on her face. ‘I would like you to bring the yardman to me immediately, Gerald,’ said Adele.

Gerald blinked and his jaw dropped open stupidly. ‘You mean bring him here, into the house? Into Father’s library?’ he said, balking at this idea.

‘Yes, Gerald, into the house. I certainly have no intention whatsoever of going to the stables.’

‘But, Mother, perhaps—’

‘Don’t argue, Gerald.’

‘Yes, Mother. As you wish,’ he said grudgingly.

Adele’s eyes searched out Emma, who was standing in a shadowy corner, her face as ashen and as perturbed as Edwin’s. ‘Emma, please run down to the kitchen and get me a glass of water. This horrendous story has made me feel quite queasy.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ said Emma, bobbing.

‘And you, Edwin,’ Adele continued, ‘will be doing me a great service if you will be kind enough to get me the smelling salts from my bedroom. They’re on the dressing table, dear.’ Edwin nodded and slipped out after Emma.

Adele now focused her blazing eyes and all of her attention on her elder son. He was edging towards the door. ‘Gerald, before you go for the yardman I wish to speak to you.’ Adele’s voice was sweet and she smiled brilliantly.

Gerald was instantly confused by this radical change. ‘What about?’ he said rudely.

‘A matter of some importance. Come back here, Gerald.’ Adele beckoned.

Gerald reluctantly moved forward and it occurred to him too late that his mother’s voice had not been sweet at all. It had oozed acid and that smile had been a dangerous smile. He wavered, and, quailing, held back.

Adele took a sudden step forward and in a lightning movement grabbed the boy’s wrist. They were only a few inches apart and Adele lifted her other hand and struck him savagely across the cheek.

Gerald recoiled and tried to break free. Adele held him in a vice-like grip that was surprisingly strong, and she leaned forward urgently. She stared deep into his eyes, and with loathing.

‘If I see you endanger Edwin’s life in any way, ever again, or hear that you have done so, I won’t answer for the consequences!’

A quick denial sprang to Gerald’s facile tongue, but when he saw the knowing gleam in his mother’s eyes he thought better of it. For the first time in his life he was cowed by this woman who, in her towering rage, appeared more beautiful than she had ever been, and was awesome.

‘I saw you kick Russet Dawn,’ Adele continued in the same venomous hiss. ‘And in the rib cage. You know as well as I do that when a highly strung hunter is struck unexpectedly, and with force, it is guaranteed to bolt. That’s why you did it, of course! Edwin could easily have been killed. You know what they do to murderers in England, don’t you, Gerald? They hang them by the neck until they are dead! Need I say more? Do you understand me?’

Gerald had blanched. His mother’s long nails bit into his flesh and red weals were appearing on his blubbery face. ‘Yes, I understand you,’ he mumbled.